I got a job... at critter central

[m-jean03]

House-sitting and taking care of 4 critters : a cute & energetic less than a year old puppy named Snowy, a cat named Fluffy, a bunny named Chocolate, and a 40 year old parrot named Roberto. There is a lot of light here, a beautiful backyard, and free food.

Well, I'm very stimulated and happy in this new environment, and I just wanted to tell everyone about it. It's been a long time since I've had my own space! Will be DUing from critter central every day for the next week! :bounce:

[cjbuchanan]

1. Sounds like fun

Enjoy the work.
:party:

[m-jean03]

8. Thanks!

I haven't had my own space since I had to drop out of college for health reasons over 2 years ago... this is kind of like the first step towards real independence again, for me, so it's really nice. :party:

[MikeG]

2. Congratulations and good luck.

[m-jean03]

6. Thanks

This puppy is a real handful.

I really have to show her who is the boss! :bounce:

[Nikia]

3. Sounds fun

I like animals too.

[m-jean03]

9. This dog is climbing all over me...

I've never felt so loved and slimy before :-) (my dog was never a licker).

[faithnotgreed]

4. animals need all the help they can get - good for you!

[m-jean03]

10. Welcome to DU!

I agree and these ones are sweeties. :-)

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. What kind of parrot is Roberto?

I am a BIG bird lover, have a female Eclectus of my own. She's the only woman who will have me. ;-)

Note: Parrots are surprisingly omniverous. They can and will eat just about anything we eat. Do not give them alcohol or chocolate, though. Be very careful to not overheat a teflon-coated pan in the house, the fumes are instantly fatal to birds.

[m-jean03]

7. I don't know!

I really should have asked. I know so little about birds, a parrot is kind of (don't be mad) just a parrot to me. I'll find out now though.

Thanks for the hints. Any ideas on getting her to like me? She seems kind of hostile... :shrug:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

12. Time, kindness and trust.

Parrots are naturally territorial and aggressive, until you gain their trust. Work with Roberto and give it time. If it is, by nature, a friendly bird, it will come around.

Offering favorite foods, by hand, is a good way to start building the relationship.

[m-jean03]

13. Thanks, we'll see how this goes

I'll take her a little of my dinner tonight.

I think I need to have a little trust in her, too. When she starts squawking and flapping at me, I get scared, isn't that silly, but I'm afraid she'll take my nose off! :D

This is a crazy place. :crazy:

[m-jean03]

11. Grrrrr...puppies without obedience training

She just jumped on my face while I was lying down, knocked my glasses off and bent them in the middle. Now they are crooked and I am MAD!! :grr: But she is so cute, and she looks at me like she doesn't know what she did wrong! :shrug:

[m-jean03]

14. A GIANT TRAMPOLINE!!

Wow, they have a giant trampoline here!! Awesome! I always wanted one of those when I was a kid. I'm going to go jump on that thing!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[SarahB]

15. Have a good time.

Sounds like a fun job. :)

[m-jean03]

16. Thanks, but no one is as excited as me!

All these .'s. I expected !'s !! :D :bounce:

[m-jean03]

17. My antics with the dog so far have reminded me of

Turner & Hooch. :crazy: